Means for operating the steering-posts of automobiles



E. P. LE COMPTE.

MEANS FOR OPERATING THE STEERING POSTS OF AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. TO, HIS).

x m M Mm I i w W M w E. P..LE COMPTE.

MEANS FOR U'FERA'H NG THE STEERING POSTS 0F AUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION nuso ocr. 10. 1919.

1,3 8,5 2, v PatentedAug.23,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. P. LE COMPTE. MEANS FOR OPERATING THE STEERING POSTS 0F AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10. I919.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

4 S HEETSSHEET 3.

E. P. LE COMPTE. MEANS FOR OPERATING THESTEERING POSTS 0F AUTOMOBILES.

' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10, 1919. 1,388,582; PatentedAug- 23,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD P. Lu comma, or PARK CITY, urban.

MEANS FOR OPERATING THE STEERING-POSTS OF AUTOMOBILES.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD P. LE CoMrTn, citizen of the United States, residing at Park City, in the county of Summit and State of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Operating the Steering-Posts of Automobiles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to a device for controlling the operation of or operating the steering post or hand wheel of an automobile, such device being actuated by the knees,

legs or feet of the operator, thereby leaving the hands free for other purposes.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and may be applied to the steering post of an automobile without materially altering the construction thereof. y

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the-course of the following description. v

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specificationfand in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, p

Figure 1 is a perspective view of'a device embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, I y

Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of a pivot support, o

*1g. 3 is a central longitudinal sect on through a second form of device embodylng my invention,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the same,

Fig. 4 is a plan View of theoperating member, removed,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third form of device embodying the invention,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the operating member included in the same.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pivot support, 2 p

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth form of device embodying the invention,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the operating member included therein, and,

Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section through the device of 7. y

In. the drawings, wherein for the purpose Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

Application filed October 10, 1919. Serial No. 329,672.

of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention being called to Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, the numeral designates the inclined steering post of an automobile, pivotally mounted within a stationary housing 16. The steering post 15 is connected with the steering gear of the automobile, in the usual manner, and carries the usual hand wheel 17. The housing 16 is formed in sections 18 and19, which are .rigidly connected by means of brackets 20. Agear 21 is rigidly secured to the steering post 15, and operates between the ends of the sections 18 and 19.

'The numeral 22 designates an operating member as a whole, embodying spaced longitudinal arms 23, preferably having the shape shown. At their upper ends, these arms are rigidly secured to a block 2 1, having an aperture 25, pivotally receiving a 1 stud 26, rigidly secured to a sleeve 27. This sleeve is clamped to the upper end of the housing section 19. The operating member 22 is therefore adapted to be swung transversely of the housing 16, but cannot turn about the same.

The numeral 28 designates a transverse rack bar, rigidly connecting the arms 23, between the ends thereof, and this rack bar engages the gear 21, and is retained in permanent engagement therewith by means of a transverse guide bar 29, rigidly secured to the arms 23 and engaging beneath the housing 16.

It is thus seen that the legs or knees may be placed in engagement with the arms 23, for holding the operating member against movement, which will hold the steering post 15 against turning movement, or the operating member 22 may be swung upon its pivot 26, which will move the rack bar 28. This rack bar will turn the gear 21, which in turn will rotate the steering post 15.

In Figs. 3 and 1, the numeral. 30 designates a bracket, which is rigidly secured to the housing 16, and extends longitudinally of this housing. Arranged within the bracket 30 is an operating member 31, pivoted upon a pin 32, the inner end of which pin is carried by a sleeve 33, clamped to the housing 16. The upper end of this pin connected with the bracket 30. Spacing elements 24 are carried by the pin and are arranged above and below the operating member 31. The operating member provided near its lower end with a curved slot 35, receiving a guide stud 36, carrying steps 37. The guide stud is'rigidly secured to the free end of the bracket 30; At its upper end, the operating member 31 has a *rac bar 38, engaging the gear 21.

The numeral 39 designates the body portion of a pedal element, which is rigidly and detachably connected with the lower end of the operating member 31, by means of'a bolt 40. The pedal element includes a transverse pedal 41, rigidly secured to the body'portion 39, at its lower end. I

In the operation of this form of the invention, the feet engage the pedal 41, and may be employed to turn the operating member 31 upon its pivot. This operating memher ,will then shift the rack 38, which will turn the gear'18, in turn rotating the steering post 15.

V n Figs.'5 and 6, the numeral 42 designates an operating member, which is X- shaped, and includes arms 43, rigidly connected with a body 44. v This body is apertured to pivotally receive a vertical stud 45, carried by a sleeve 46, which is clamped to the housing 16. An overhanging bracket 47 is clamped to the upper end of the housing,

and has its lower end connected with the pivot element or stud 45, as shown.

A transverse rack bar 48 rigidly connects the upper end of the arms 43, and this rack bar permanently enga es the gear 21.

' It is obvious that tie lower ends of the arms 43 project laterally beyond the housing 16, and may be engaged by the legs or feet of the operator, whereby the operating member may be turned upon its pivot.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the numeral 49 designates the operating member. This operating member has a body ortion 50, preferably provided with openings 51. Arms 52 extend downwardly from this body portion,

,and carry extensions 53, which project lat- 46 erally, and may be engaged. by the feetor legsof the operaton The body portion 50 is apertured at 54, for pivotally receiving a stud 55. This-stud is rigidly connected with V the housing16, and with the lower end of a bracket 56, which is clamped to the upper end of the housing. A uide stud 57 is rigidly secured to the brac et 56, and operates within a curved slot 58, formed in the body portion 50, and carries stops 59. Av rack 60 is carried by the upper end of the body portion 50 and permanently engages the gear 21.

It is. thus seen that the steering post may be turned by swinging the operating member 49 upon its ivot, and this member may be operated by t e legs or feet.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to betaken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination with the steering post and housing of an automobile, of a gear secured to the steering post, a lever like relatively rigid member pivotally connected with the housing and extending longitudinally thereof, the lower end of the member being adapted to terminate near the floor of the automobile and to be engaged by the lower limbs and shifted generally horizontally and laterally, and a rack carried by the member and engaging the gear to rotate the same.

2. The combination with the steering post and housing of an automobile, of a gear secured to the steering post, a lever like relatively rigid member extending longitudinally of the housing, a pivot element carried by the housing and engagin the member between the ends of the mem r which extends above and below the pivot element for substantial distances, the lower end of the member having laterally extending portions adapted to be directly engaged by the feet of the operator and shifted thereb generally horizontally and laterally, an a rack secured to the upper end of the member and engaging the bar.

3. The combination with the steering post and housing of an automobile, of a ear secured to the steering post, a lever 1i 0 relatively rigid member extending longitudinally of the housing and including an intermediate body portion and upper arms diverging upwardly from the body rtion and lower arms diverging downward y from the body portion, the lower arms terminating near the floor of the automobile to be directly engaged by the feet of the operator and shifted generally horizontally and laterally, means for pivotally connecting the intermediate body portion and housing, and a rack bar carried by the upper arms and engaging the gear.

4. The combination with the steering post and housing of an automobile, of a bracket secured to the housing and extending longitudinally thereof, a gear carried by the steering post, an operating member extending longitudinally of the housing and having a transverse slot, pivot means for the member connected with the housing, a guide element operating within the slot and secured to the bracket, and a rack bar carried by the member and engaging the gear.

5. The combination with the steering and housing of an automobile, of a bracket secured to the housing and extending 1011- gitudinally thereof, a gear carried by the and a rack bar carried by the member and steering post, a pivot element connecting the engaging the gear.

housing and bracket, an operating member In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my extending longitudinally of the housing and signature in the presence of two witnesses. supported by the pivot element, said operat- EDVARD P. LE COMPTE.

ing member having a transverse slot in its Witnesses: lower portion, a guide elementbarried by HENRY SHIELDS, the bracket and projecting into the slot, PAUL GRUN. 

